Back in March of 2010, I was contacted by a sales representative trying to sell printer ink cartridges and toner. I was told that I would be saving a lot of money if I purchased through them. I was even told I could return the product for a full refund if I was not satisfied with it. Regrettably, I agreed...
When the products arrived, I noticed they were after-market products, so my boss decided that he did not want the products and asked for me to return it. I tried to contact Associated Supply--which took a lot of effort because I am always sent to their voice mailbox--and after talking back and forth, I finally decided to just purchase the product and terminate our account with them because I thought it would be the easier way to out. I write them a check for their merchandise and get on with my life...
In August, I was contacted by a saleswoman who said she was going to send us a few more products. I tell her we did not want the products, but she claims I had agreed to purchasing it at a discount. I explained to her that I did not ever agree to the purchase, but she again (stubbornly) insists that I did and that she was going to send it anyways. When I told her I was just going to refuse it, she replied, ill-manneredly, "YOU DON'T WANT THE PRODUCTS?... YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY?... DO YOU WANT US TO TURN YOU TO COLLECTIONS AND RUIN YOUR CREDIT?..." We continued our dispute back-and-forth for 5 minutes... She then told me to have my manager call her at extension #362, and before allowing me to respond, she hung up. I immediately tried to call back, but had little success. After trying for 20 times (seriously), I was finally able to reach the receptionist. I asked her who it was at extension # 362, and she told me the person's name is LAUREL WILLIAMS and that she was in a meeting, but will be calling me back shortly.
The GOOD:
They sound very polite and sincere when they are initially trying to sell you their products.
The BAD:
The product is an aftermarket product. Trying to reach a representative of the company is really tough. If you pay attention, the sale representatives are very pushy. They agree to help you terminate your account, but yet call you a few months later to try to resell the product.
The UGLY:
The representative I spoke to (LAUREL) was very rude, pushy, and had no manners at all. Because I declined to receive the products, she had to harass and insult me.
RECOMMENDATION:
For all of you that are not signed-up with Associated Supply, I only wish that you were able to read my personal experience and take it into consideration. When you talk to them, relax and thoroughly think things over before you answer. Their sales tactics were meant to be pushy and it is hard for them to take "NO" for an answer...
LAUREL is very unprofessional, not concerned with customer service, only concerned with the sale, and if you do not comply with her, she will insult you just for her personal satisfaction; a very disgusting individual... SHARON was very understanding and helpful, but I have read another report at "WWW.RIPOFFREPORT.COM" about SHARON scamming him (he's from Florida). SHARON said she cannot removing my number from their call list, but will put it into the "DO NOT CALL" list, which she said has a maximum of 80 #s. When new #s are placed into the "DO NOT CALL" list, it knocks off the #s that are already on the list, therefore, this does not guarantee that you will not be harassed again.
www.ripoffreport.com/DIRECTORY/ASSOCIATED-SUPPLY.aspx
I guess all the people there at Associated Supply are in this together. Their business practice is very fishy; they have one bad guy who sounds really sweet when trying to sell you the product and turn malicious when the deal goes sour, which they then have a good [bad] guy call you back to massage things by sounding all sweet and understanding.
I tried to call Associated Supply back because I wanted to confront LAUREL about why she was giving me a hard time. I tried to call many times, but when I was finally able to reach the receptionist, she told me LAUREL had left for the day.
The next day and I tried calling again from my office, but was always sent directly to the voice mailbox. Frustrated, I hung up the office phone and called with my cell phone--magically, the receptionist picked-up the phone! I asked her to connect me with LAUREL, yet again, she said LAUREL was busy and she'd call me back.
LAUREL, you are a total COWARD!
See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/laurel.williams.79
This company is very fishy. Make it simple for yourself, say "NO" to everything they suggest or just hang-up the phone, otherwise you're in for a big mess... If you can't take my word for it, try to read about other people's problems with Associated Supply.
DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU... GOOD LUCK!